RADIOGRAPHY OF THE THORACO-ABDOMINAL CAVITY OF THE OSTRICH (Struthio Camelus)

A standard radiographic procedure was developed for the thoraco-abdominal cavity of female nonbreeding ostriches. Positioning, collimation, centering and a technique chart were defined to give reproducible and consistently good quality radiographs. Radiographs were obtained from one adult ostrich cadaver, two adult female ostriches as well as two growing ostriches at various stages. A 6-frame technique was established for lateral views taking the topographic tissue distribution into consideration and using easily palpable landmarks as centering points. Standing true right lateral radiographs are recommended for standard procedures. For dorsoventral exposures a 3-frame technique in the recumbent ostrich was found to be optimal. Birds should be fasted if possible. A technique chart for lateral exposures is provided.     

Radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

This study provides a reference for the radiographic anatomy of the thoraco-abdominal cavity of female ostriches as a representative of ratites. One ostrich cadaver, 2 adult and 2 growing ostriches were used. Right lateral radiographs produced by a 6-frame technique and 2 dorsoventral radiographs produced by an adapted 3-frame technique were selected and schematic illustrations of these were labelled to illustrate normal radiographic anatomy. Differences from other avian species and unique features of the ostrich are briefly discussed.     

IMAGING ASSESSMENT OF THE MODIFIED DOUBLE CONTRAST BARIUM ENEMA USING CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE ON RADIOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN DOGS

A modified double contrast barium enema using carboxymethylcellulose was evaluated in beagle dogs and compared with dogs receiving a conventional barium enema. The experimental group was divided into three groups (1, 2, and 3) and given 30 ml/kg of different volume ratios of a barium vs. carboxymethylcellulose mixture. Each group underwent sonography following radiography. The volume ratio of one part barium to three parts carboxymethylcellulose was judged to be the optimal mixture, resulting in a general distribution of contrast and bowel radiolucency on radiographs and adequate postradiography sonography. The modified barium enema using carboxymethylcellulose is useful for assessing the general morphology and mucosal layers of the colon simultaneously on radiographs and ultrasonographs.     

POSITIVE-CONTRAST RHINOGRAPHY

Contrast rhinography is a simple noninvasive procedure that may be a useful diagnostic method for positive-contrast radiographic evaluation of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and paranasal sinuses in the dog. A standardized and reliable technique was developed using healthy adult Greyhounds. The radiographic appearance of the regional anatomy after intranasal administration of positive-contrast medium was established. Four contrast media: 60% propyl iodine, 37% organically bound iodine, a 60% barium sulfate suspension, and a 30% barium sulfate suspension were evaluated on the basis of their radiographic contrast and detail, distribution, and degree of evoked tissue reaction as defined by clinical assessment. A 30% barium sulfate suspension was selected using these criteria. Contrast medium enhanced the radiographic appearance of the regional anatomy when compared with noncontrast techniques. A procedure for positive-contrast radiographic evaluation of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and paranasal sinuses is described in detail. Recommendations are made regarding methods of contrast medium administration and positioning to ensure uniform distribution within the area of interest.     

CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL RADIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST STUDIES IN THE HORSESHOE CRAB (LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS)

Survey and contrast radiographic studies of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) were undertaken using conventional and flouroscopic techniques. Normal gastrointestinal and cardiovascular structures were difficult to resolve on survey radiographs, but were well visualized with gastrointestinal follow through studies and angiography, respectively. All three contrast agents (iohexol, Gastrografin, and barium sulfate) used for the gastrointestinal studies varied minimally in their radiographic quality and transit times, and all appeared to be safe for use in the horseshoe crab.     

RADIOGRAPHIC GASTROINTESTINAL ANATOMY OF THE FOAL*

The purposes of this study were to evaluate a technique for contrast gastrointestinal (GI) radiography and to define the normal radiographic anatomy of the foal GI tract as demonstrated by survey and contrast radiography. GI studies were performed in five normal foals. Right lateral standing, right and left lateral recumbent, and ventrodorsal (dorsal recumbent) radiographs were evaluated. The recumbent lateral and ventrodorsal positions were preferred, although the right lateral standing position demonstrated most structures. Radiographic positions that clearly identified a specific GI region were determined. The dosage of contrast medium used (5 ml/kg of a 30% wt/vol barium suspension) was adequate to outline the GI tract. Transit times allowed evaluation of the large colon within eight hours.     

Radiography for the diagnosis of spirocercosis in apparently healthy dogs, St. Kitts, West Indies

Fifty apparently healthy island dogs presenting to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St. Kitts, West Indies for neutering were used in this prospective study. Twelve of the dogs (24%) were diagnosed with spirocercosis based on a positive fecal analysis and characteristic lesions seen during esophagoscopy. Routine thoracic survey radiographs revealed changes previously reported with spirocercosis in 10/12 (sensitivity = 83%) infected dogs, but in none of the uninfected dogs (38/38; specificity = 100%). The most common radiographic changes were an increased fluid density within the caudal dorsal thorax on the lateral view and a widening and/or bulging of the caudal mediastinum on the dorsoventral view. After oral administration of barium sulfate, barium retention or a tortuous esophagus was visible in all infected dogs (12/12; sensitivity 100%) and in one uninfected dog (1/38; specificity 97%). The results show spirocercosis is common on St. Kitts and that radiographs are as dependable as fecal analysis and/or endoscopy in diagnosing the condition.     

BARIUM SULFATE BRONCHOGRAPHY IN HORSES

Barium sulfate bronchograms were performed on four 454-kg (1000-lb), adult, mixedbreed horses. Approximately 100 ml of 100% w/v premixed barium sulfate suspension was insufflated into a caudodorsal portion of one lung. Excellent bronchograms were obtained through six generations of bronchial divisions. Bronchograms of diagnostic quality were present for at least 30 minutes. Radiographs at 24 hours showed that most of the barium had been removed from the lung. At 48 hours, tiny barium nodules were essentially all that remained. One hundred and thirty milliliters of barium sulfate initially resulted in overfilling of the bronchial tree and prolonged retention of the contrast medium. Six weeks after bronchography, histopathologic examination of the perfused fixed lungs of two horses showed a very mild inflammatory response to the barium. One of the four horses received two barium sulfate bronchograms. This horse was observed and found to be free of any side effects for 15 months after the second bronchogram.     

FLUOROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE NORMAL GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY AND MEASUREMENTS IN THE HISPANIOLAN AMAZON PARROT (AMAZONA VENTRALIS)

Contrast fluoroscopy is a valuable tool to examine avian gastrointestinal motility. However, the lack of a standardized examination protocol and reference ranges prevents the objective interpretation of motility disorders and other gastrointestinal abnormalities. Our goals were to evaluate gastrointestinal motility in 20 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) by contrast fluoroscopy. Each parrot was crop‐fed an equal part mixture of barium sulfate and hand‐feeding formula and placed in a cardboard box for fluoroscopy. Over a 3‐h period, 1.5 minute segments of lateral and ventrodorsal fluoroscopy were recorded every 30 min. The gastric cycle and patterns of intestinal motility were described. The frequency of crop contractions, esophageal boluses, and gastric cycles were determined in lateral and ventrodorsal views. A range of 3.4–6.6 gastric cycles/min was noted on the lateral view and 3.0–6.6 gastric cycles/min on the ventrodorsal view. Circular measurements of the proventriculus diameter, ventriculus width, and length were obtained using the midshaft femoral diameter as a standard reference unit. The upper limits of the reference ranges were 3.6 and 4.7 femoral units for the proventriculus diameter in the lateral and ventrodorsal view, respectively. Two consecutive measurements were obtained and the measurement technique was found to have high reproducibility. In this study, we established a standardized protocol for contrast fluoroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract and a reliable measurement method of the proventriculus and ventriculus using femoral units in the Hispaniolan Amazon parrot.     

Surgical treatment of gastric impaction in farmed ostriches

Partial or complete impaction of the proventriculus and/or the ventriculus is usually seen in juvenile ostriches. Common impaction materials include stones, sand, hay stems and leaves, and even plastic and metallic objects. Six live ostriches showing signs of impaction and three dead ones suspected to have impacted stomachs were presented to the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The birds manifested anorexia, whitish and decreased urine output, scant defecation, unwillingness to rise and consume water. Clinical examination revealed distended and firm proventriculi, while radiographs showed foreign objects in the proventriculi of all birds and the ventriculus of one of them. The living birds were successfully treated surgically and medically. Autopsy of the three dead ostriches revealed severe dehydration and impaction of the stomachs. Bacteriological and parasitological examination was negative. Amendments in management practices were important to minimize losses caused by impaction of the stomachs in ostriches, while proventriculotomy remains the most effective approach to the problem.     

Radiological Observations of the Thorax and Abdomen of the Piglet

A contrast radiographic study of the urinary and gastrointestinal system was carried out in 43 animals, with the aid of barium sulfate, orally for esophageal, stomach, small intestine and large intestine studies; barium sulfate as an enema to complete the large intestine studies; sodium and meglumine diatrizoate intravenously for urography and iodipamide meglumine intravenously for cholecystography. Both unanesthetized and anesthetized or tranquilized animals were used in the study. The results of the study are illustrated, and contrasted with studies of a similar nature in other animals.     

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY AND BARIUM SULFATE CONTRAST TRANSIT TIME OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF BEARDED DRAGONS (Pogona vitticeps)

The positive contrast gastrointestinal study is a common non‐invasive diagnostic technique that does not require anesthesia and enables good visualization of the digestive tract. Radiographic anatomy and reference intervals for gastrointestinal contrast transit time in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were established using seven animals administered 15 ml/kg of a 35% w/v suspension of barium by esophageal gavage. Dorso‐ventral and lateral radiographic views were performed at 0, 15, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 h, and then every 12 h up to 96 h after barium administration. Gastric emptying was complete at a median time of 10 h (range 4–24 h). Median jejunum and small intestinal emptying times were 1 h (range 30 min–2 h) and 29 h (range 24–48 h), respectively. Median transit time for cecum was 10 h (range 8–12 h). Median time for contrast to reach the colon was 31 h (range 12–72 h) after administration. Results were compared to those obtained in other reptilian species. This technique appeared safe in fasted bearded dragons and would be clinically applicable in other lizard species.     

ABDOMINAL MASS DUE TO CHRONIC SALPINGITIS IN AN AFRICAN GREY PARROT (PSITTACUS ERITHACUS)

An adult female African Grey Parrot ( Psittacus erithacus ) was referred with a two year history of intermittent illness and a recently palpated abdominal mass. Hematologic and microbiologic laboratory results on presentation were non-diagnostic. In survey and barium sulfate contrast radiographs there was a large soft tissue mass in the abdominal cavity displacing the proventriculus craniodorsally, and the ventriculus and small intestines cranially. Euthanasia was elected after exploratory laparotomy revealed extensive peritonitis and intestinal adhesions in the coelomic cavity. At necropsy, a 3.5 cm diameter mass was removed from the left oviduct. The histopathologic diagnosis was chronic salpingitis with intraluminal mass, and serositis of many abdominal organs. The oviduct mass consisted of concentric layers of egg yolk and inflammatory cell debris.     

What is your diagnosis? Particulate material in peritoneal fluid from a dog

9-year-old castrated male Greyhound dog was presented for evaluation of vomiting and lethargy of 1-week duration. On physical examination, the dog was febrile and dehydrated with a tense abdomen and petechial hemorrhages. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included relative polycythemia, mild lymphopenia with reactive lymphocytes, hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, hyperbilirubinemia, increased ALP, mild hypokalemia, hyperamylasemia, hyperlipasemia, increased D-dimer concentration, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Cytologic evaluation of peritoneal fluid revealed marked suppurative inflammation with intracellular barium sulfate particles. The day before presentation, the referring veterinarian had administered oral barium sulfate in an upper gastrointestinal contrast study. Radiographs revealed free contrast material in the peritoneal cavity, consistent with gastrointestinal perforation, and leakage of contrast material. Abdominal exploratory surgery revealed a mid-jejunal perforation and a hepatic nodule. Histopathologic diagnosis of the jejunal and liver lesions was T-cell lymphoma. The patient recovered well postoperatively and received chemotherapy for treatment of lymphoma. Most commercial barium sulfate preparations contain relatively uniform, weakly birefringent, pale yellow particles <1 microm in diameter. Because barium sulfate is found occasionally in clinical specimens, cytopathologists should be familiar with its cytologic appearance.     

RADIOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF GASTRIC EMPTYING IN SUCKLING CAMELS

A suspension of barium sulfate in camel milk was used as a contrast medium to assess gastric anatomy and emptying in camels. Two doses were evaluated: 10 ml/Kg and 20 ml/Kg. The lower dose was found to be inadequate for stomach opacification. The higher dose results in sufficient distention and opacification. Contrast medium was administered by placing the solution into the mouth of the camel. The reticular groove reflex was not observed. Water sacs were filled immediately after barium administration and interval emptying and filling of these sacs occurred until the initiation of abomasal emptying. The abomasum did not begin to empty until approximately 5 hours after administration of the contrast medium; abomasal emptying was not complete until approximately 24 hours after contrast medium administration.     

SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF SOLID-PHASE GASTRIC EMPTYING IN THE DOG

A technique for scintigraphically quantitating solid-phase gastric emptying in the dog was developed in a Beagle model. The test meal was determined to empty in a linear fashion, indicating a solid-phase label. The evaluation was performed on a group of dogs presented for gastrointestinal signs that were judged to have normal liquid barium sulfate fluoroscopic and radiographic studies. The results of this study indicate that this technique is valuable for identifying those patients with surgically correctable pyloric obstruction that exhibit normal gastric emptying of liquid barium.     

Haematological and immunological variables in a domesticated and wild subspecies of ostrich (Struthio camelus)

1. Domesticated ostriches have been selected rigorously for productive traits with little concern for immunological responses, in contrast to wild ostriches. 2. We hypothesised that the immunological responses of wild and domesticated ostriches would differ. Total leucocyte counts, differential counts, heterophil: lymphocyte ratios, phagocytic activity, lysosome levels and anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibody titres (total, IgG, IgM) were compared between domesticated (n=3) and wild (n=3) ostrich subspecies. 3. Total leucocytes, lymphocytes and heterophils were similar in the 2 subspecies, but basophils and eosinophils were lower in the wild than in the domesticated ostriches. Lysosome concentrations and phagocytic activities were higher in the wild ostriches. 4. Total and IgM antibody titres to SRBC reached peak values quicker in the domesticated than in wild ostriches. IgG development patterns were similar. 5. The results suggest that a stronger non-specific immune response was shown by the wild ostriches (higher phagocytosis and lysozymes) whereas a stronger specific immune response was shown by the domesticated ostriches (peak values of anti-SRBC antibody titres were reached more quickly).     

犬消化道与泌尿道X线造影方法探讨

为探索在宠物临床开展消化道及泌尿道造影检查的方法 ,促进 X线造影技术在宠物临床上的应用 ,分别采用硫酸钡和复方泛影葡胺对 4只本地犬进行了消化道及泌尿道 X线造影检查。实验结果显示 ,经胃管给犬投服硫酸钡浆进行造影 ,容易获得良好的消化道 X线影像 ;静脉尿路造影因造影剂在不同个体犬尿路显示时间不同 ,最佳摄片时间不易把握 ;对犬膀胱及尿道逆行注入 1 0 %复方泛影葡胺 ,容易获取膀胱及尿道的清晰影像 ,而尿道空气造影影像不甚理想     

Radiographic and gross anatomy of the nasolacrimal duct of the horse

The anatomy of the nasolacrimal duct of the horse was studied grossly and radiographically, using barium contrast dacryocystorhinography and methyl methacrylate casts. Radiographic contrast studies were performed on 4 specimens and gross dissections were performed on 6 specimens. Dacryocystorhinography accurately delineated the course of the nasolacrimal duct, as was subsequently demonstrated by gross dissection. A 60% barium sulfate suspension produced good radiographic contrast, allowing critical assessment of the anatomic features of the nasolacrimal duct.